Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi took a closer step boost ties with Israel on Wednesday, issuing a video message hailing the July 28 kickoff event of the “Tohoku-Israel Startup Global Challenge Program,” hosted by the Embassy of Israel in Japan and JETRO. 

“After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Israel dispatched a medical team to Japan ahead of any other government and it has continuously developed support programs for the Tohoku region,” Motegi said in a message. “I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation for that support.”

Motegi also hailed designating Watari town in Miyagi Prefecture to support Israeli athletes participating in the Olympic Games. 

The foreign minister said that the Tohoku-Israel Startup Global Challenge Program pursues “the best startup-friendly city in Japan” to promote local entrepreneurship. We cannot find a more competent partner for this program than experts from Israel, recognized as a  ‘Silicon Valley in the Middle East’ with considerable knowledge about entrepreneurship.

Motegi stressed on his “personal and strong attachment to Japan-Israel bilateral relations” for being the first Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to visit Israel in 2014. “At that time, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was the Minister of Economy, and I was able to recognize the potential of Israeli economic growth in the field of information technology through a frank exchange of views with those who I met, including the minister.”

As both countries will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, Motegi pledged to do his best to play an active role so that the two countries’bilateral bonds will be further deepened.